This Week's Meeting: Victor Tom - "How Rocket Science changed Major League Baseball & the Strike Zone"
Dr. Victor Tom will present an invited talk that was given at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. It chronicles how (at an innovative defense company) he leveraged camera mapping technology to win the America's Cup in 1992 and then in 2000 helped Major League Baseball re-establish the correct strike zone, thereby changing the way home plate umpires call balls and strikes. A history of the events surrounding the development gives a rare glimpse into all of the problems, technically and politically, he had to overcome, in order to help the umpires.
Victor received his BS, MS, and ScD, all from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dept. at MIT. He has worked at a number of defense companies and MIT startups and is currently a Chief Scientist at BAE Systems in Burlington, MA. Dr. Tom is a third generation Rotarian and PP of the Rotary Club of Bedford. He is actively involved in leading a group of Rotarians in supporting the MIT PKG Public Service Center by assisting students refine innovative projects designed to help underserved population around the world. He is also building a network of MIT alumni Rotarians to help fund humanitarian projects at and originating from MIT in the 7 Rotary focus areas.
Bits and Pieces | by Ben Lowry
Dick Hall brought our meeting to order with a good crowd joining us at The Italian Heritage Center. Cyrus Hagge came to the podium to offer a brief, yet amusing adage from Mark Twain: "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Niki Curtis welcomed visiting Rotarians and guests
HAPPY: Dick gave us 21 happy dollars, one for each tree planted last week along the Bayside Trail. Jon Young offered a donation celebrating his cousin's visit, Kirk Duffy gave some happy bucks for his new roof and his beloved Yankees (ugh), Gerry Angier urged us all to head to Hersey, PA for some delicious treats, Peter Goffin thanked the Rotary Foundation for so much joy in his life, Charlie Frair thanked Paul Gore for having "just one" heart attack, Bill Ross was more than happy that his daughter got married last week, Bowen Depke gave a sizeable gift in celebration of his new status as "an empty nester", and Dave Small gave a happy few dollars as he is moving into a new house in Falmouth. Dave promised to give more once his Portland home closes escrow.
ROTARY AND TD TREE: Speaking of the Bayside Trail tree plantings, check out these photos sent in by Patty Byers. Green thumbs and yellow shirts! Ellen Niewoehner reported that it was a beautiful morning on the Bayside Trail, and the 19 TD volunteers planted 21 trees in short order from behind Trader Joe's to Chestnut Street. Check it out when you get a chance!
NOT THIS WEEK: Gerry Angier conducted a mesmerizing raffle with the usual result: Paul Gore's name was called and he picked a non-Queen of Hearts......this will continue until Paul, eventually and inevitably, will select the Queen and give the money back to the club. (Editor's note--we're so glad to see Paul healthy and back to meetings!)
WHITE CANES: President Dick noted that October 15th is blindness awareness day in this country so we should all be on the lookout for many folks carrying white cans to bring attention to those with vision issues. Dick also mentioned that our club and District 7780 are gearing up for a trip to Poland in 2024 and we have two of our members who are in the running to be selected to join the group. More on this to follow.
TAKE NOTE: Erik Greven took to the podium to have us mark our calendars for our speaker on October 27th, a Dominican amputee who has been touched by the gentle hand of Rotary, who will tell of his efforts to open a center for prosthetics in his homeland.
TAKE TWO NOTES: Amy Chipman let us know that we have a volunteer opportunity working in Cultivating Community's Boyd Street Community Gardenon Wednesday, November 8th from 1:00 to 4:00. The garden is located at 58 Boyd Street in Portland.This will be a "putting the garden to bed" work party. We will be measuring out the plots, doing work on the paths, clearing out abandoned garden plots, and doing maintenance work in the orchard. It will be a rain or shine day in the garden and they will provide gloves, tools and team leaders to coordinate.
PACK 'EM UP: Bruce Moore reminded us of our project to load up 75 backpacks for those in need of a boost as the head into the journey of recovery. There is a SignUpGenius. on our website, in an e-mail that has been sent, and here in The Jammer, that will allow you to see a list of items that can be placed into the backpacks. Step right up, the Genius is open thru Oct 23rd. Questions? Email Jan Chapman!
BRIDGE WALK: Patty Byers talked about our second annual "Bridge the Gap to End Polio" walk over the Casco Bay Bridge will be taking place on Thursday, October 19th. We will park and meet at 3:45 PM at the Shaw’s Market parking lot (180 Waterman Drive, South Portland). At 4 PM our group will walk the bridge. Estimating 5 PM, we'll end up at Foulmouthed Brewing at 15 Ocean Street, South Portland for a “Pints for Polio” social event. Foulmouthed will chip in $1 for every pint sold. Thanks to all who have offered to help and a special shout out to Paul "T-Shirt" Gore for all his efforts to make us look like a team!
Last Week's Program: Marty Helman, Rotary Peace Centers | by Zach Newell
Marty Helman talked about the legacy of Otto Walter. Otto was a German-Jewish attorney who immigrated to the US from Germany in 1936. After re-earning his legal credentials in the United States, Otto established a law firm. Along the way, Otto hired Frank Helman, a colleague who became close friends with Otto. Before Otto passed away, he left money to his colleague and friend, Frank, in the form of the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation. There was little guidance for how to use the money, a sizable sum of $15.5 million from the Foundation. Marty and husband Frank thought long and hard about how to steward the Foundation money. After working with Rotary for years, Marty and Frank decided that it made all of the sense in the world to open a Peace Center in the Middle East, specifically, as Marty announced, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Marty talked about the legacy of Rotary Peace Centers, which began in 2002. Rotary Peace Centers, located at universities around the world, develop leaders who become catalysts for peace in local communities and on the global stage. They study the causes of conflict and build practical skills, usually through exploring innovative solutions to real-world problems in areas such as human rights, international relations, and global health and development.
Marty reminded the club that Rotary’s goal is to create environments where peace can be built and maintained through sustainable and measurable activities in communities worldwide. Peacebuilding remains a cornerstone of its mission. Marty explained that part of the legacy of Rotary Peace Centers is that it is based entirely on a fellowship model, so that students from low income countries are on the same footing as high income students. Marty also explained the appeal of a Rotary Peace Center graduate certificate program, completed through a 10-week course of study. The program allows mid-career workers to apply and complete the program without altering their work/career trajectory.
Marty and Frank wanted to honor Otto’s work in a post World War II world that was dedicated to avoiding another war. The overriding goal of Otto’s life was peace. It seemed appropriate to honor Otto’s legacy by sustaining peace through the establishment of a Peace Center in Istanbul, Turkey. The Rotary Peace program offers a professional development certificate program that is focused on peace building and development of issues native to the region. This is a perfect way to commemorate and honor the Walter Foundation’s vision and legacy.
The first Rotary Peace Fellows will begin their studies in early 2025, according to Marty. Marty said that she and Frank were searching for a safe place where people are treated equally and where there is proven expertise for skills that students need to be successful in the program and beyond. The Center needs to be affiliated with a University. Marty said that Bahçeşehir University, a private university, fit the bill. A private university made it less likely to garner any interference from the public sector. If politics or anything else prevented the vision of the Center, the money invested in the Center could easily be reallocated to another location. In other words, money is the investment, and if politics makes it difficult to continue operating in Istanbul, it is easy to reinvest money with a similar vision elsewhere in the Middle East.
Marty and her husband Frank Helman joined the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club 18 years ago, Marty served as club president in 2006-07, and served as District 7780 Governor in 2012-13. Marty epitomizes thinking and acting locally and globally.
First Notice: Mark Shinners of Scarborough, Maine has been sponsored for membership by Nannette Ranger-Duncanson. Mark is the owner of Boston Harbor Trading Company located in Scarborough. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Speaker Schedule
October 19 Thursday - "Casco Bay Bridge Walk For Polio" & "Pints For Polio"
October 20 - No Meeting
October 27 - Graviel Nuel Jacobo - Dominican Republic - Centro de Protesis
November 3 - William Hardwood "Presenting Both Sides of the Utility
Takeover Debate
November 10 - No Meeting "Happy Veterans Day!"
November 17- Martha Bentley, former ME Economic Development "Helping
Small Businesses Start Operations"
Club Executives President Dick Hall President Elect Patty Byers Vice President John Thompson TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Bruce Jones,
Ben Millick, Quinn Slayton, Zachary Newell,
David Ertz, Maggie McGauley Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Erik Jorgensen,
Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair Doreen Rockstrom Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Dr. Victor Tom will present an invited talk that was given at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. It chronicles how (at an innovative defense company) he leveraged camera mapping technology to win the America's Cup in 1992 and then in 2000 helped Major League Baseball re-establish the correct strike zone, thereby changing the way home plate umpires call balls and strikes. A history of the events surrounding the development gives a rare glimpse into all of the problems, technically and politically, he had to overcome, in order to help the umpires.
WHITE CANES: President Dick noted that October 15th is blindness awareness day in this country so we should all be on the lookout for many folks carrying white cans to bring attention to those with vision issues. Dick also mentioned that our club and District 7780 are gearing up for a trip to Poland in 2024 and we have two of our members who are in the running to be selected to join the group. More on this to follow.
close friends with Otto. Before Otto passed away, he left money to his colleague and friend, Frank, in the form of the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation. There was little guidance for how to use the money, a sizable sum of $15.5 million from the Foundation. Marty and husband Frank thought long and hard about how to steward the Foundation money. After working with Rotary for years, Marty and Frank decided that it made all of the sense in the world to open a Peace Center in the Middle East, specifically, as Marty announced, in Istanbul, Turkey. 
its mission. Marty explained that part of the legacy of Rotary Peace Centers is that it is based entirely on a fellowship model, so that students from low income countries are on the same footing as high income students. Marty also explained the appeal of a Rotary Peace Center graduate certificate program, completed through a 10-week course of study. The program allows mid-career workers to apply and complete the program without altering their work/career trajectory. 
First Notice: Mark Shinners of Scarborough, Maine has been sponsored for membership by Nannette Ranger-Duncanson. Mark is the owner of Boston Harbor Trading Company located in Scarborough. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors..png)
